HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu has been named one of the top 15 best cities in the nation to celebrate Halloween.
This ranking comes from WalletHub’s 2025 study comparing 100 U.S. cities.
Honolulu placed No. 14 overall and showed strong marks in trick-or-treating opportunities, holiday fun and its famously pleasant weather.
Here’s what we found in the study.
How the cities were ranked
The study measured 20 factors to find the most festive and safest places to celebrate. Metrics included:
- Trick-or-treater friendliness.
- Halloween fun and weather.
- Each city earned points for access to:
- candy stores.
- costume shops.
- entertainment options.
- community safety.
Honolulu’s Halloween scores
Honolulu earned an overall score of 52.40. These are the rankings Honolulu achieved:
- 26th in trick-or-treater friendliness.
- 20th in Halloween fun
- 54th for weather.
Honolulu also tied for first nationwide in candy and chocolate stores per capita; we shared the top spot with New York City and Las Vegas.
These rankings highlight how easy it is to enjoy the holiday in Honolulu, with local shops and community events offering treats and excitement for families across the island.
“Halloween holds a big place in American popular culture, and we collectively spend billions of dollars celebrating every year,” said Chip Lupo, an analyst for the study. “At the same time, it’s also a holiday that comes with a certain amount of risk, given that children visit strangers’ houses in the dark. The best cities for Halloween are those that provide the safest conditions for celebrating, along with an abundance of activities, Halloween-related stores and good weather.”
Spooky spending and national trends
Across the country, Americans are expected to spend $13.1 billion on Halloween this year. That equals an average of $114.45 per household, from decorations and candy to costumes and parties.
Spending on costumes alone is projected to reach $4.3 billion, while candy sales will top $3.9 billion.
The season also brings its share of surprises. More than half of parents admit to taking candy from their children’s Halloween stash, and 67% of Americans say they would consider living in a haunted house.
Why Honolulu stands out
With its mix of community spirit, warm weather and plentiful candy shops, Honolulu offers an inviting setting for trick-or-treaters and partygoers alike.
You can click here to access the full report.
The city’s top-15 ranking puts it alongside major mainland destinations known for their Halloween festivities shows that Hawaiʻi’s capital continues to shine, even under the glow of jack-o-lanterns.